The newly founded empire was brimming with vitality. Officials at every level handled affairs with decisive efficiency.
Even those who had surrendered from the former Three Great Empires all performed exceptionally well—one might even say overzealously.
After all, wasn't it true that the Dark Division and the Ministry of Justice periodically stirred up earth-shaking cases, executions piling up with rolling heads? Their fearsome reputation had already surpassed that of the former Spirit Hall's Law Enforcement Team, striking terror wherever their name was heard.
In less than three days, every region completed preparations for the prayer ceremony at lightning speed—including educating the populace on how to conduct the ritual and constructing altars.
With the former Spirit Hall's administrative framework as a foundation, mobilizing the masses across all regions was hardly difficult.
Nangong Lingyun took this event extremely seriously.
He personally inspected major population centers and dealt harshly with a batch of officials who had handled matters perfunctorily.
Although he didn't actually need the people to pray—nor did he truly require faith power to become a god—without public participation, the masses would feel detached.
Only by making most people believe that his ascension to godhood was the result of their sincere prayers could this so-called Martial God earn their genuine faith.
This involved a kind of psychological chess match.
Mutual dependence formed the most stable alliance of interests. Once the people believed that their role was dispensable to a god, they would naturally begin to question whether that god would truly protect them.
This was precisely why religions placed such emphasis on incense and worship.
The faith system of Douluo was vastly inferior to that of Buddhism or Daoism—so inferior they weren't even on the same level.
As the tense preparations concluded, the day of prayer finally arrived.
At eight o'clock in the morning, giant screens across the land lit up on time, broadcasting the empire's emperor's many great achievements since his birth.
At nine o'clock, the footage shifted to the southern outskirts of Chang'an City.
Upon a nine-tiered altar, nine zhang, nine chi, and nine cun tall, Nangong Lingyun stood clad in imperial robes, wearing a golden crown.
Surrounding the altar in every direction, countless citizens formed layer upon layer of fan-shaped formations. Broad passageways ran vertically and horizontally between each formation, with the capital's garrison troops maintaining order.
Tang San had once again been temporarily transferred to the military.
He stood beside one of the formations.
With the Purple Demon Eye and the mental fortitude honed through prolonged suffering, though physically within the crowd, his vision felt extraordinarily expansive.
Looking at the millions of citizens stretching for dozens of miles, every face filled with fanatical fervor—
some were even so excited that they fainted on the spot, carried away on stretchers by the garrison or treated by auxiliary soul masters—
and then looking at those standing upon the remaining eight tiers of the altar:
the imperial consorts, high ministers, Titled Douluo, members of the Genius Training Camp, outstanding officials, and representatives of the people—
the bitterness and regret in his heart were indescribable.
He had missed Nangong Lingyun's recruitment three times.
And with every step Nangong Lingyun took toward greater power and prosperity, the pain in his heart only deepened.
Now, with godhood imminent, it felt like ten thousand arrows piercing his heart—unbearable agony.
Once, a sincere opportunity lay before me. I did not cherish it. Only after losing it did I regret it. The most painful thing in the world is nothing more than this.
Emmmmm...
As the live broadcast began, Nangong Lingyun smiled and waved toward the camera.
"Officials, soul masters, and citizens of the Heavenly Empire—hello everyone. I am your emperor, Nangong Lingyun."
His language was extremely plain.
But based on experience, ordinary people loved this approach—first, it felt approachable; second, anything too profound would go straight over their heads.
After several minutes of frenzied cheering, Nangong Lingyun continued:
"Ultra-large gatherings place immense pressure on both organizers and participants. The shorter, the better—so I'll keep this brief.
"First: After becoming a god, I will not be summoned to the God Realm immediately. For at least the next hundred years, I will remain on Douluo Star with you all. Please rest assured.
"Second: The title of the god I shall become is Martial God and God of Judgment.
"Judgment refers to examining villains, judging crimes, and punishing evil. I will become a fair and incorruptible enforcer, strictly controlling the darkness of the mortal world.
"Martial refers to a brand-new cultivation system distinct from soul masters.
"Once I condense my divine core, Martial Path Steles will be erected in every commandery, spreading martial cultivation across the land. All citizens may learn freely, at no cost.
"Third: Prayer must be voluntary. Only sincerity has efficacy. Those unable to participate today due to unforeseen circumstances need feel neither guilt nor fear. Officials at all levels are strictly forbidden from punishing or criticizing them on this basis."
The Martial Path Stele was Nangong Lingyun's replacement for the traditional City God Temple.
Douluo had yet to form such customs. If temples were established outright and citizens were ordered to worship on holidays or major events, such blatant coercion might backfire.
And even if they did come, how much sincerity would there really be?
Especially thousands or tens of thousands of years later—when stories turned into legends and people lived in peace and prosperity—they would never understand the emotions of ordinary citizens in this era.
At that point, like today's Angel God, he would completely vanish from the hearts of the people.
But the Martial Path Stele was different.
It was a tangible benefit bestowed upon the masses.
Moreover, its contents could be updated periodically, ensuring lasting relevance and presence.
How much did a martial cultivation manual really cost?
Compared to the faith power of billions of people, this wasn't just profiteering—it was insanely, absurdly, catastrophically profitable.
Especially since any cultivation system brought immense benefits both to the plane itself and to the originator of the path.
Cultivators continuously refined scattered, low-grade world energy, strengthening it—and upon death, returned it to the world.
The number of cultivators directly translated into tireless, unpaid laborers.
Once cultivation culture flourished sufficiently, given enough time, a planet could even ascend in rank.
If peerless geniuses continued creating new techniques, expanding paths and foundations, then as the founding god, his Dao fruition would also grow stronger.
This was precisely why in the Primordial Era, the Supreme Pure One established the Human Sect and spread the Golden Core Dao.
As for fears that constant absorption of world energy would cause depletion—like some novels claimed—
that simply wasn't true.
Planets themselves absorbed and transformed cosmic energy, and the stronger they became, the faster they absorbed.
Given the immensity of the universe, even billions of life-bearing planets combined amounted to less than a speck of dust—utterly negligible.
This was also why, ten thousand years later, the Tang Sect would make the Xuantian Art public.
It wasn't that Tang San suddenly grew a conscience.
It was because his father—the planetary will—and his mother—the core of life—understood that this was simply too, too, too, too… profitable.
Even capitalists would shed tears upon seeing this, realizing they were practically saints by comparison.
Still, for ordinary people, without cultivation, there was no chance to change their fate or step onto the central stage—so it could barely be called mutual benefit.
As Nangong Lingyun's words fell—
the现场 instantly erupted into massive waves of cheers and gasps.
The common people were jubilant.
The supreme experts, however, were utterly shaken.
..............
You can get the fully completed English PDF of the fanfiction you're currently reading on my Patreon shop, along with many other books available there.
On the request of some brothers, I've also listed adult-rated Douluo and BTTH novels and pure smut fanfics. Feel free to check them out below and see if any match your taste. Your support means a lot!
Here are titles of uploaded Douluo adult fanfics on Patreon:
" BTTH: I, Yao Chen, Will Steal My Disciple's Wife (18+) "
" BTTH: Adult Continent (18+) "
" BTTH: Rampage of the Lust Sect (18+) "
" Green Light Douluo (18+) Completed Edition "
" Douluo: Twin Lustful Souls (18+)"
" Douluo: Lust Evoulution (18+) "
" Douluo: The Game (18+) "
" Douluo: Tsundere Empress Qian Renxue's Cultivation Plan (18+) "
" Douluo: Hypnotic Martial Soul (18+) "
" The Fall of Douluo's Beauties (18+) "
" Douluo Continent: Pure Flesh Cultivation (18+) "
" Douluo: Journey of Collecting Sex Slaves (18+) "
" Douluo: Chaotic Desire Evolution (18+) "
" Douluo 2: Silkworm Lust (18+) "
" Douluo: Reborn as Ye Lingling (18+) "
" Douluo: Punishment System, Xiao Wu is Addicted (18+) "
" Douluo 2: Martial Soul Wish Tree — Wang Dong Got Addicted (18+) "
" Douluo: Getting Stronger by Digging Treasures, Meet Bibi Dong Right at the Start (18+) "
" In Douluo Just Sleeping, and Bibi Dong Exploded (18+) "
" Douluo: Peerless Bull (18+) "
" Douluo: Glazed Sacrifice to Revive the Sect (18+) "
" Douluo: Lust God Inheritance (18+)"
" Douluo 4: Dragon God Lust (18+) "
" Douluo: Prime Minister, I Understand "
" Douluo: Super Slave System (18+) "
" Douluo: I Made the Pope Bibi Dong Pregnant! (18+) "
" Douluo: Tang San Forbidden Harem (18+) "
many more up to 220+ are available.
Your support means a lot—thanks in advance, legends!
Patreon.com/UIGOD
(End of Chapter)